Anna Lambe is at the center of the North of North season 2 ensemble, returning the focus to Siaja Kudlak as the young mother makes major changes to her life.

Siaja quits her job and gets a divorce, placing Lambe’s character at the heart of a story that also brings together her family, friends, coworkers, boss and a complicated romantic interest.

Lambe’s television credits include the fourth season of True Detective, along with Three Pines, Alaska Daily, Trickster and Diggtown. She starred in the film In the Heart of the South, appeared in Heart of the Beast earlier this year and can currently be seen in The Social Reckoning.

Siaja’s Family and Romantic Complications

Maika Harper plays Neevee Kudlak, Siaja’s mother. Before North of North, Harper portrayed Anna on Mohawk Girls, Michaela on Kim’s Convenience and Detective Shina May on Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Another key family connection comes through Jay Ryan as Alistair Brennan, Siaja’s estranged father. Ryan’s previous work includes series-regular roles on Neighbours, Sea Patrol, Go Girls, the 2012 series Beauty & The Beast, Mary Kills People and Top of the Lake. He also played the adult Ben in It Chapter Two.

Braeden Clarke takes on the role of Kuuk Nanuaq, Siaja’s love interest, although their connection is complicated for several reasons. Clarke won a Canadian Screen Award for playing Leo on Little Bird. His television credits also include Outlander, SkyMed and Impulse, while his first credited role was as a fraternity member in Legends of Tomorrow.

Friends and Coworkers Fill Out the Ensemble

Zorga Qaunaq plays Millie Maktaana, who is both Siaja’s coworker and friend. Qaunaq previously worked alongside Lambe in In the Heart of the South. She is also set to appear in this year’s feature film In Alaska, which recently debuted at TIFF.

Bailey Poching appears as Colin, a local radio host and another of Siaja’s friends. Poching is a comedian whose television appearances include the panel show 7 Days, for which he also writes, as well as Dealbreakers, Sims Logic and TechTown: Middle Ages.

Mary Lynn Rajskub portrays Helen May-Qaqsuk, Siaja’s boss. The actress and comedian is known for playing Chloe on 24 and Gail on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Her other credits include The Dropout, The Girlfriend Experience, @midnight, Californication and 2 Broke Girls.

Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds rounds out the listed workplace characters as Elisapee, another of Siaja’s coworkers. Before joining North of North, Simmonds worked as both an actress and consultant on the fourth season of True Detective.

ShowBiz Take

The season 2 cast lineup makes clear that Siaja remains the connective force of North of North. Each featured character occupies a distinct part of her changing world: Neevee and Alistair bring the family dynamics, Kuuk supplies the complicated romance, and Millie, Colin, Helen and Elisapee anchor her friendships and working life.

That structure gives Lambe a broad ensemble to play against as Siaja deals with the consequences of leaving her job and ending her marriage. It also brings together performers with experience spanning television drama, comedy, panel shows and film, led by Lambe’s central performance.